Netherlands coach Danny Blind sacked after Bulgaria defeat

The Netherlands has dismissed national coach Danny Blind in the wake of their shocking 2-0 World Cup qualifier defeat at the hands Bulgaria.

Former defender Blind took charge of the national team from Guus Hiddink in July 2015 but was unable to lead the team to Euro 2016, and now dismissed after 20 months and 18 matches.

Blind was informed of the decision to sack him at a meeting with the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) football director, Jean Paul Decossaux, and technical director, Hans van Breukelen on Sunday.

Two quick goals from Spas Delev left the Netherlands struggling at fourth place in Group A of the European World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018, six points behind leaders France and three behind second-placed Sweden. It was also a dream debut turned nightmare for 17-year-old Matthijs de Ligt, who made two costly defensive mistakes for Delev to score. Decossaux said the governing body were left with no choice but to dismiss Blind due to poor results, and Netherlands Under-21 coach Fred Grim will take charge of the senior team for Tuesday’s friendly with Italy in Amsterdam as the KNVB begins the search for a new permanent manager.

“Because the sporting results are disappointing and it will now be difficult to qualify for the World Cup in Russia, we feel unfortunately we have to say goodbye to him,” he said in a statement at the official KNVB website.Blind himself said it was “a pity” his stint in charge of the national team ended in such fashion.